Stephen Hawking has fairly specific computer requirements. He writes books, travels the world to speak, and spends a lot of his time on some seriously impressive science — but his illness prevents him from interacting with a computer in a normal way. Since 2001, he's worked with an Intel application engineer named Travis Bonfield to customize a computer that works for him, and Intel's Free Press interviewed Bonfield about Hawking's setup. The rig changes every three years: this time around, Hawking is using a Lenovo X220 tablet, custom-built with an Intel Core i7 processor and a webcam. There's also an IR sensor hanging on Hawking's glasses that reads the light coming off his cheek and translates it into speech, which comes out of an amplifier underneath his wheelchair. There's plenty more interesting technology involved in helping Hawking work and communicate, so hit the source below to check out the full interview.
Image credit: LWp Kommunikáció (Flickr)
There are 10 Comments. Add yours.
Always been fascinating to see how his technology works.
Posted on Jan 11, 2012 | 11:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Get Mr. Hawking the polished eye-to-mouse software for Windows 8. Celeb endorsement.
Posted on Jan 11, 2012 | 11:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Where’s the source link?
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 12:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Added, sorry! Not sure where it went.
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 12:00 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
it reads the LIGHT coming off his cheek and converts it into speech? source link please…
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 1:44 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I’ve read the whole article and still don’t quite know how his system works. I guess Intel doesn’t want to reveal their technology, so that they can sell similar systems to other people with similar diseases.
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 2:19 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
— “There’s also an IR sensor hanging on Hawking’s glasses that reads the light coming off his cheek and translates it into speech”
How the hell does that work? Sounds fascinating.
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 6:53 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s not really as fascinating as it sounds – the sensor really only picks up a binary signal, so it still takes very long for him to speak – it’s like only being able to use a single button keyboard.
He essentially has to cycle through a word/phrase list and select pre-programmed common phrases/words. If he’s writing something it takes exponentially longer because he may be going through a similar process, but cycling through individual letters to spell out words. It’s very tedious.
Honestly I’m surprised they haven’t worked out a method using his eyes after all this time – most ALS patients retain eye muscle control, so I’d imagine an eye-tracking solution would have been best for the long-haul – but maybe the technology just isn’t good enough…
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 8:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
*Lenovo X220 tablet.
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 7:24 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What I think is more important to take away from this story is that there is a real need for better computers for all people no matter what their abilities. Mr. Hawking has been blessed by having an engineer at his back to figure out the best system possible for him. However, there are ‘tens of thousands’ if not tens of millions of people who could benefit from there being a modular system of components, that when mixed and matched could create a system that anyone with any variety of motor, speech, hearing or sight problems could use. Currently adaptive use computers are expensive and often one of a kind, and that should change. The horizons for many people would expand exponentially with an affordable system to help anyone with challenging motor, speech, hearing, or sight issues. Computers for these people with special needs should not start at $6K.
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 | 12:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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